It is illegal to prosecute a divorce based upon a contingency fee. Indeed, many times clients have told us, “Isn’t my husband responsible for our fees?” In some cases we hear, “Isn’t my wife responsible for my attorney fees?” Domestic Relations Law has been updated as of October 2010 and April 2011 and codified to include a statement that the…
For many people, divorce means the end of a relationship and limited future contact with a former spouse. However, for partners with children, a romantic relationship can end but parenting is forever. In recent years, technology has eased some of the anxiety and annoyance for former spouses and future co-parents. Working with clients throughout Long Island and New York, I…
In New York, the marital estate is subject to equitable division, that is, fair allocation of proceeds to both parties. The only assets divided during divorce are those that are known — so how do you know your entire marital estate is on the table when it comes time to divorce? Whether out of fear of not having enough money…
Every divorce story is different. Yours may have been a simple, uncontested divorce, or you may have endured years of high conflict divorce, custody trials and post-judgment proceedings. Whether your divorce was relatively easy or financially and emotionally devastating, the end of the process to dissolve your marriage eventually arrives. Understanding how to begin — and to end — divorce…
When a court believes it is in his or her best interests, your child may be appointed a legal representative. Understanding the different personnel who deal with your child in a legal setting is confusing but critical for you to know. While family law matters concerning child welfare give rise to appointment of legal representation, these appointments also occur during…
On June 26, 2013, an interesting article ran in Newsday discussing a tragic case where a woman settled a divorce for a paltry $12,000,000. While words like “tragic” and “paltry” are not typically associated with settlements worth millions, the truth of the matter is that the woman in question deserved far more. The woman’s attorney, who came from a well-known…
In an uncommon ruling, the Supreme Court of the State of New York affirmed a lower court ruling to set aside a prenuptial agreement entered into between a Long Island couple. The ruling allowed the plaintiff to pursue divorce relief without the stipulated protections offered by the prenuptial agreement. For many reasons, a prenuptial agreement is a good idea. Our…
Most couples get married with the hope of an enduring, happy marriage. In the case of reality television star Kim Kardashian and Brooklyn Nets basketball player Kris Humphries, the divorce lasted far longer than the marriage. In April, the former celebrity couple agreed to settle their bitter public differences that focused not on the issues of marriage, but how it…
In Newsday June 26, 2013, was a tragic case whereby a woman settled a divorce for a paltry $12,000,000. It may not sound tragic, however, her attorney agreed a certain building was worth only $7,700,000 (a well known Garden City law firm). The building sold for $84,500,000.00 immediately after the divorce was over. Thousands of pages worth of legal papers;…
One is not the loneliest number. Two — in a failing marriage — is worse. When discontent leads to divorce, meeting someone new may be a priority to you as your divorce proceeds. Our law firm represents clients throughout Nassau County and New York seeking divorce. While simple divorces can conclude within a year, high asset or high conflict divorce…